IKEA, the Life Improvement Store, will host its annual Midsummer celebrations in the restaurants of all IKEA U.S. stores on Friday, June 13. Midsummer marks the summer solstice and is an important holiday steeped in tradition in Sweden. Consumers can join in the fun as IKEA captures the essence of this Swedish summer holiday with a Midsummer buffet table, featuring traditional Swedish fare. Tickets are available for only $9.99 per person or $2.49 for kids 12 and under for IKEA FAMILY* members ($12.99 per person/$4.99 for kids 12 and under for non-IKEA FAMILY attendees).

“Midsommar” (midsummer) is celebrated in many parts of the world as the longest day of the year. In the northern parts of Sweden, the sun actually never sets and there is daylight both night and day.

“Our Swedish roots are important to us – they run through everything IKEA does,” said Donna Fitzgerald, IKEA Food Commercial Manager. “We take every opportunity to celebrate our culture and heritage and we love events like Midsummer, which allow us to share those celebrations with our fans.”

The IKEA Midsummer Smörgåsbord menu** includes:

Assorted varieties of herring

Whole poached salmon

Tossed green salad

Cucumber salad

Rhode Island salad

Midsummer fruit salad

Assorted Swedish cheeses

Boiled dill potatoes

Meatballs with lingonberries

Hard boiled eggs with shrimp

Gravad lax w/ mustard sauce

Smoked salmon w/horseradish sauce

Swedish ham (served cold) w/mustard

Prinskorv sausage (sautéed)

Crispbread, thin bread

Ice cream

Assorted desserts

Coffee, tea, fountain beverage

Seating is limited, so those that are interested are encouraged to purchase tickets early at their local IKEA store. To locate and contact the nearest IKEA store for more details and seating times, please visit: IKEA-USA.com.

If you can’t make it to a local store to celebrate, experience the Swedish Midsummer celebration at home by making your very own pancake cake – a traditional Swedish dessert.

Ingredients (serves 4):

8 IKEA PANNKAKOR pancakes

10 oz. whipping cream

20 fresh strawberries

6 oz. IKEA SYLT JORDGUBB strawberry jam

Confectioners sugar

1 sprig of fresh mint

Directions:
Thaw the pancakes. Whip the cream.
Rinse the strawberries, remove the leaves and stems. Cut the strawberries in halves.
Make alternate layers of pancakes, whipped cream and jam. Put a lot of strawberries on top, sprinkle with icing sugar and garnish with a sprig of freshly cut mint.

*IKEA FAMILY is a benefits program that offers membership perks including special product discounts, sneak previews, free coffee and tea in the IKEA Restaurant, and more. Consumers can sign up for the free program online or in-store.

**Menu is subject to change due to product availability.

ABOUT IKEA
IKEA strives to be ‘The Life Improvement Store,’ and since its 1943 founding in Sweden, has offered home furnishings of good design and function, at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. There are currently more than 340 IKEA stores in 43 countries/territories, including 38 in the U.S. IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings company, incorporates sustainable efforts into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information, go to IKEA-USA.com.